PSL 11 draft set for January 30 as league gears up for historic eight-team season

LAHORE: Excitement around the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 11 is reaching fever pitch, with sources indicating that the players’ draft is likely to be held on January 30, marking a major milestone ahead of the landmark 2026 edition of the tournament.

According to sources, several Australian players currently touring Pakistan are expected to be invited to the draft ceremony, adding international star power to the high-profile event. Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi is also likely to attend, underlining the importance of the occasion. The draft ceremony is expected to take place in Lahore, traditionally the heartbeat of PSL festivities.

The draft comes at a historic moment for the league, as the PSL expands from six to eight teams for the first time in its history. Two new franchises; Sialkot and Hyderabad, have officially joined the league after being sold for a combined Rs 3.6 billion, signaling unprecedented commercial confidence in Pakistan’s premier T20 competition.

The Sialkot franchise, sold to OZ Group for Rs 1.85 billion, and the Hyderabad team, acquired by FKS Group for Rs 1.75 billion, have drawn international attention. US officials have publicly welcomed the investments, calling them a positive step for both Pakistani cricket and international sporting ties.

With expansion complete, the January 30 draft is expected to be one of the most competitive and closely watched PSL drafts ever, as eight franchises battle to assemble squads packed with local talent and global stars. The presence of foreign players, high-profile ownership groups, and senior PCB leadership is expected to turn the event into a major cricket spectacle.

Analysts say PSL 11 could redefine the league’s future—boosting regional rivalries, expanding fan engagement, and further positioning Pakistan as a growing hub for international cricket investment.

As the countdown begins, fans across the country are eagerly awaiting January 30, when the road to PSL 11 officially begins, bigger, bolder, and louder than ever.